Fabulous stay at Polynesian. . .

[mirlow]

Tess thanks so much from the report. The photos you shared of your family are wonderful. You all look like you are having so much fun together! I'm so glad to hear how great your trip was!

Did you request first floor? I really enjoy having the patio and I hope we get one in Sept. We're checking in early so I hope that helps.

What do you mean that the food in the lounge is being tweaked? I haven't heard that yet. I sure hope they don't run out of beer. when were there. I so happy they have it since I remember those first trips of ours just having wine as an option. Now if only they could get some champagne like they do at the GF

That's a bummer about the pool. The first few years we never went swimming mid afternoon since the kids were always napping, but on our last trip to the Polynesian in 2004 it was nuts. In fact it made us want to try the GF. The pool is a big part of our vacation and I like to be able to enjoy just lounging around while not feeling like a sardine. I did plan some mornings by the pool this trip, since that is my favorite time to enjoy it. We also like swimming at night when the fireworks are going off. I guess the good thing is that my kids are older now, so I don't need to keep such a close eye on them while they are in the pool. In fact I'm looking forward to sitting on the beach instead of poolside.

Speaking of the beach did you notice if they were giving out the sand buckets to guests when they checked in?

Seeing your Poly pout photo makes me wish our family had a traditional phot opt in WDW. I guess we can start ours seven years late!

Isn't it a bummer coming home?
We were up in your neck of the woods last week and had a nice time visiting family.

We haven't been back to the Polynesian since August 2004 and our looking forward to it. We love the resort and it has some special memories for us since that is where we have spent most of our WDW trips. I love how your family stays at your "tried and true" every year

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Liked your photos . We'll have to go in search of the Mickey ears with our three kids.

 

[Tess]

Did you request first floor? I really enjoy having the patio and I hope we get one in Sept. We're checking in early so I hope that helps.

No, actually requested third, but first was available to us upon check-in at 7:00 a.m.--it was perfection!

hat do you mean that the food in the lounge is being tweaked? I haven't heard that yet. I sure hope they don't run out of beer. when were there. I so happy they have it since I remember those first trips of ours just having wine as an option. Now if only they could get some champagne like they do at the GF

Tweaked in that they are moving some items from one day to the next to fit the theme of the evening better. For example, the seafood chowder will be served on Kona night along with other Kona food offerings. They will be adding the fried rice from the Spirit of Aloha along with the chicken (all drumsticks) offered at that meal. Just a bit of fine tuning so that the food fits the theme of the evening. Nothing major and not diminishing the offerings either. They did run out of beer one evening by dessert service. There was not a drop to be had--Ron and I got the last Amstel Light and Heineken--not even a Bud was left! Someone was rockin' in the lounge that night!

Speaking of the beach did you notice if they were giving out the sand buckets to guests when they checked in?

Yes, the buckets were there and plenty of kids had them.

Seeing your Poly pout photo makes me wish our family had a traditional photo opt in WDW. I guess we can start ours seven years late!

Isn't it a bummer coming home?
We were up in your neck of the woods last week and had a nice time visiting family.

We haven't been back to the Polynesian since August 2004 and our looking forward to it. We love the resort and it has some special memories for us since that is where we have spent most of our WDW trips. I love how your family stays at your "tried and true" every year

It is great fun to look back over the years and see the changes in our kids from those early photos. It's never too late to start a tradition--go for it! It truly is a bummer being home, but we are not filthy, stinking rich (drats) and cannot afford to live on vacation. We have our next visit in the works and are looking forward to returning. If you don't have something to work for--it sure makes for a dull existence. The time will fly since it will be our daughter's senior year and we will be quite busy. Our son is now in his second year of college and I know how quickly that first year flew by for him and us--there was always something going on whether with the high school or college.

Tried and true is great. We've enjoyed, for the most part, experiencing the other resorts for a day or two here and there. The Polynesian has our hearts and I think it is because of all the great memories we have made over the years. It really does feel like home--only smaller!

Have fun mirlow--I'm sure you'll be happy with your vacation as well!

 

[Sea Turtles]

Thanks for sharing Tess, I'm glad you had an awesome time!!
We'll be @ the Poly in Sept and it can't come soon enough!

 

[grannyminnie]

Enjoying this thread! Love the details of your trip, Tess.
I'll be there in about 4 months for the second time, and can't wait. I agree...it's always good to have a trip "in the works"! Makes life better, don't you agree?

 

[mlholster]

Hi Tess thanks for your report. We are still here at the Poly you may have left us a note on the door. We had the green mickey head magnets around the door, if that was you thanks.
We are also having a wonderful time and really wish we could live here, the bank says we can't. My husband and I stayed here in April for the first time and really enjoyed it. We are CR lovers, so this was a big change, and I love it. My kids are not so sure, they feel the CR is home, even my 31 yr old son, he was here with his wife and enjoyed here but still loves the CR.
We have 2 more days then good bye until December.
Lynn from IL.

 

[Tess]

Hi Tess thanks for your report. We are still here at the Poly you may have left us a note on the door. We had the green mickey head magnets around the door, if that was you thanks.
We are also having a wonderful time and really wish we could live here, the bank says we can't. My husband and I stayed here in April for the first time and really enjoyed it. We are CR lovers, so this was a big change, and I love it. My kids are not so sure, they feel the CR is home, even my 31 yr old son, he was here with his wife and enjoyed here but still loves the CR.
We have 2 more days then good bye until December.
Lynn from IL.

While I was fairly certain I did not know you from the boards, I recognized the Mickey heads! I retrieved a sticky from the concierge desk and left the note. I figured you would know it was a DISer if you were one and if you weren't you would just think I was a lunatic!

Glad you're enjoying your stay--you checked in near the end of our stay--sorry we missed out on meeting face-to-face. I always tell people that if they see me just say hello! I'm easily recognized since I have the photo in my sig! Who knows, maybe we did cross paths???

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Tess -- We particularly liked this photo: everyone at the airport gate. We call it "being gated" and really feel the magic begins then. It is the frst moment when all the planning is done and the last requirements (check-in and security) are finished. From then until the last morning, we are truly in the Disney magic. This is always our first traditional family photo. "Mahalo" for sharing your great photos.

 

[BCV23]

Loved your pictures, Tess. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad the magic of the Polynesian was there for your family this year.

BTW, what a darling birthday cake for your daughter! Hope you all enjoy her senior year.

Happy planning!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Thank you for sharing your vacation photos!! Your pictures were so much fun I was smiling here at work!

 

[ConcKahuna]

Great pics, and it's good to hear you had a great time!!

Next time, you'll just have to skip going to any of the inferior resorts (just kidding LOL)

 

[simonkodousek]

We also just returned from the Polynesian and had a great time. I also noticed that the music wasn't playing everywhere, just in some places. This was disappointing for me because it really sums up the whole resort's theme. Anyway, congratulations on a great trip!

 

[Tess]

Great pics, and it's good to hear you had a great time!!

Next time, you'll just have to skip going to any of the inferior resorts (just kidding LOL)

I think we may be done "experimenting" for a bit. Ron and I have already begun the rehash. We decided next June we would take an earlier flight, but not too early, and make the Polynesian our first and last stop! You know my thoughts as to your latter comment!

 

[goofybabe]

Dear Tess

I am so happy you are your family had a wonderful vacation at the Polynesian this year. My family and I like to stay there on our disney vacations also. I admit I am a former lurker, but now I actually post on here, & i have been reading your trip reports for three years now. Your children and mine are around the same ages and My children also still love to come on vacation with us. We will be going back to the Poly in december, so it was nice to hear good reviews.


Thanks for the fabulous trip report!

 

[Tess]

Dear Tess

I am so happy you are your family had a wonderful vacation at the Polynesian this year. My family and I like to stay there on our disney vacations also. I admit I am a former lurker, but now I actually post on here, & i have been reading your trip reports for three years now. Your children and mine are around the same ages and My children also still love to come on vacation with us. We will be going back to the Poly in december, so it was nice to hear good reviews.


Thanks for the fabulous trip report!

I'm so glad you decided to join the fray--it's much more fun to participate. I'm not a major poster. I've been around the DIS boards since they were formed (or within a couple of months thereafter). While I lost some post totals in the crashes many years ago, I do not post willy nilly, but I love the boards!

It's good to hear there are other teens/young adults out there that think their parents are "cool" enough to be seen with on vacation. Guess that makes us fun parents, hey?

Enjoy your trip, wish I was headed back sooner than 300+ days!

 

[disneyfan67]

Tess, I enjoyed reading your report and think what you and your family do is so cool. To go to WDW regularly and make the Polynesian your family's home away from home is really special. Talk about spending quality time with your family! That's a lifetime of great memories that some could only wish for.

I have seen and enjoyed your Polynesian pout pictures over the years and it's a nice tradition to have. Thanks for posting your pictures too. It's too bad I won't meet you at the Poly when I'm there, but there's always the next time. Hope to see ya there one day.


Eddie

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Hi Tess!

It was nice to meet you and your family. I see that your daughter still had some difficulty taking the Polynesian Pout photo without laughing I am glad you had a great trip (as we did). I saw you and your husband again, walking near the pool just as it was beginning to storm. I was with my girls, playing on the beach. I didn't want to bother the two of you. We hotfooted it out of there when the thunder started booming!

 

[Tess]

Tess, I enjoyed reading your report and think what you and your family do is so cool. To go to WDW regularly and make the Polynesian your family's home away from home is really special. Talk about spending quality time with your family! That's a lifetime of great memories that some could only wish for.

I have seen and enjoyed your Polynesian pout pictures over the years and it's a nice tradition to have. Thanks for posting your pictures too. It's too bad I won't meet you at the Poly when I'm there, but there's always the next time. Hope to see ya there one day.


Eddie

Enjoy your vacation--looks as if you're outta' here soon! The Polynesian is a very special place for us and we do have wonderful memories!

 

[Tess]

Hi Tess!

It was nice to meet you and your family. I see that your daughter still had some difficulty taking the Polynesian Pout photo without laughing I am glad you had a great trip (as we did). I saw you and your husband again, walking near the pool just as it was beginning to storm. I was with my girls, playing on the beach. I didn't want to bother the two of you. We hotfooted it out of there when the thunder started booming!

It's good to hear you enjoyed your stay as well. Which longhouse were you in and did you post a review or trip report?

Those afternoon pool closings were a pain and something we don't regularly encounter in June. July was nice--the weather was better than we've had in June lately, but those tour groups were a pain!

It was nice to meet a fellow DISer and wonderful that you have made some family memories to savor when your kids are as old as ours!

 

[DeborahB]

I believe most people would be more than happy with the offerings in the lounge. I hope your vacation is as wonderful as ours regardless of whether you take the club level plunge or not!

Thank you! I am getting really excited!

Still no CL available for this time frame even without an AP discount. But we are going back next spring, maybe May or June, and I think we'll take the plunge then.
It's just DH and I this time staying 4 days.

I love your Polynesian Pout pic!
Also, will you be doing a dining report?